Osinbajo to meet northern monarchs today

The acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday said Nigerians had resolved to remain one despite the current agitations in some parts of the country.

Osinbajo spoke while hosting some northern traditional rulers to Iftar, Ramadan breaking of fast, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said despite the ugly developments, Nigeria must remain a united country.

He said, “All of us have however agreed that our nation must remain one.

“When we spoke yesterday (Sunday) with traditional rulers from the South-East; despite the issues that were raised here and there, I think that there is clarity as to that one thing, that our country ought to remain, must remain a united country.

“Just as I said to them yesterday (Sunday), a lot of blood has been shed on account of the unity of our country and our faithfulness even to the lives of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice to this country, demands that we do everything on our part to keep this country together.

“And in any event, the greatest nations in the world are those nations who have the size as well as the human resources in particular to make the best of that size, and I think our nation has that and the mere fact that we have such a large nation and so well-endowed, in terms of human resources.

“I think that we are in the best position not only to be truly great but to ensure that all of our people benefit from the greatness of our country.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency on Monday rescheduled a meeting Osinbajo planned to hold with northern traditional.

The meeting, which was earlier scheduled for Monday, will now hold on Tuesday (today).

It was meant to be a continuation of Osinbajo’s consultations with stakeholders over the recent agitations in the North and South-East.

Although official reason was not given for the shift in date of the meeting, it was learnt that it was meant to allow for broader participation.

A government official, who was privy to the arrangement, said it was to ensure that both Muslim and Christian monarchs from the North attend the meeting.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President, Mr. Laolu Akande, confirmed in a series of tweets that the meeting with the northern monarchs would now hold on Tuesday.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, is scheduled to lead his colleagues from the North to the meeting.

Osinbajo had on Sunday met with traditional rulers from the South East over the same matter.

Before the Monday meeting was postponed, some government officials scheduled to take part had already arrived the venue.

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